Takeuchi and Prommegger clinch Parallel World Cup opener in Carezza

21 December 2012 16:28

FIS Snowboard World Cup - Carezza - PGS - Tomoka Taekuchi (JPN) -

FIS

Tomoka Takeuchi (JPN) and Andreas Prommegger (AUT) have been victorious in the season's first parallel giant slalom of the 2013 FIS Snowboard World Cup season which took place in Carezza, Italy, today.

While Prommegger just kept on going where he stopped as World Cup title winner 2012 last season, with another day in the Yellow Leader Jersey, winning over his fellow countryman Lukas Mathies (AUT) and Victor Wild (RUS), Tomoka Takeuchi celebrated her career's first World Cup win at her 29th birthday.

The Japanese rider crowned her 125th World Cup start on the Pra di Tori slope right at the Karer saddle relegating Caroline Calve (CAN) and Anke Karstens (GER) to second and third respectively.

According to this, Takeuchi was all smiles: “It took quite a while to finally stand on top. I didn't expect this because I wasn't riding that much before. I just got back eight days ago. As a consequence I was pretty nervous.”

But as it worked out fine in the end, she also added: “This is for sure the best day in my life now!”

It could have been a perfect day for Calve as well, who had celebrated her career's first ever World Cup win on the same slope one year ago. But a crash in the final dashed her hopes for a back-to-back win in Carezza.

“It's bitter sweet today. Obviously I'm super stoked to be on the podium again. That's a perfect start into the season. But I know that I could have won if I didn't fall. But you know it's who stands up lasts the longest.”

However, the result also underlined that Italy is a good place for the top Canadian race boarder. Calve claimed all of her three top-3 finishes so far in Italy.

Karstens, in contrary, did so four times out of her five podium results so far.

No wonder, that also the German race lady was super pumped with her start into the season.

“It seems that I like Italy. It's been a perfect day for me as I know will go to the World Championships for sure.”

Prommegger - again in yellow

By nailing his ninth World Cup win, Andreas Prommegger made clear that he will be within the circle of those to beat again if you want to play a major role in the race for the Crystal Globe.

The Parallel World Cup title defender not only won today impressively, he also beat some of the best carving aces out there in head to head duels including his team mate Benjamin Karl and local hero Roland Fischnaller.

“The race was tough because I had all the top guns on my side of the bracket. As a result, I'm very happy with how I kicked off my season.”

And this, after not knowing where he stood before.

“This year, it was tough because we did start very late. It wasn't easy for me to stay focused throughout all the trainings as we did start with preparations in August already.

It took quite a while to our first race. I knew I'm in a good shape but training and racing are two very different animals.”

From nowhere to podium

Knowing where he can get to now is Vic Wild. The former US citizen who know races for Russia celebrated a perfect comeback after a necessary World Cup break due to his change of nationality.

As a result, he said: “Thanks Russia for giving me the opportunity to do what I love to do. And I have to thank my wife (PGS World Champion Alena Zavarzina) and my mom for letting me do everything to go for my dream. I'm getting closer to being on top.”